This summer
hundreds of San Francisco youngsters are learning to sail on Lake Merced
thanks to lessons offered by SFSU and America True, a Bay Area nonprofit
group dedicated to introducing sailing to America's youth. Each weekday
children between the ages of 8 and 14 who enroll in summer camp
through the YMCA spend time in the boats and learn the ins and outs of
sailing. Already students from YMCA centers in the Mission, the Presidio
and Stonestown have found themselves on the water, and in some cases
in the water, as they must pass a swim test during the course of the
week. The classes are run by sailing instructor Ward Latimer and SFSU
students Matt McDonnell and Heather Harrington. Afternoon and Saturday
sailing sessions are open to SFSU students as well as community members
and sailing enthusiasts.